Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church

Thought for the Week:

Instrumental Selections

• Organ Prelude:

"Sweet Hour of Prayer"                                                                                                                       Jordan

Postlude:
"Fanfare and Trumpet Tune"                                                                                                             Jordan

     Evelyn Rowe, Guest Organist

Sermon Title:    Just to Rest Upon His Promise

Scripture Lessons:  Psalm 145; Haggai 1:13-2:9; St. Luke 20:27-38

Sermon Summary: In today's Gospel reading, Sadducees question Jesus about what to expect in the afterlife.  They don't believe in the resurrection, and the challenge they confront the Master with is an attempt to reduce belief in the resurrection to an absurdity.  The Sadducees, when talking about marriage and the impact death will have on it, have in mind an ancient practice mandated in Deuteronomy 25.
       Our Lord tells them that in the afterlife the children of the resurrection have no need to marry and raise up offspring to keep their memory alive because they cannot die anymore.  Will the Sadducees abandon themselves to his promise? Will you?
        "Just to rest upon his promise.... O for grace to trust him more."   (From the hymn 'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus by Louisa M. R. Stead)

Choral Selections

   Anthem
        "Precious Memories"                                                                                                                             Wright

  Offertory Solo
        "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus"                                                                                           Wright